The grown-up Glastonbury guide: How to dress for festivals when you're over 35

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Head for the "festival fashion" concessions of any high street store (because, yes, pretty much all of them have one right now) and you'll likely be confronted with day-glo bodysuits and glitter-a-go-go. Which isn't all that helpful when in the real world you're more likely to be seen in a cashmere grey jumper or a pair of kick-flare jeans.

The average age of a festival attendee is now 33 - or 36 at the Mecca of all field-based fun, Glastonbury - but when it comes to grown-up festival dressing there isn't much inspiration. Step forward Jess Morris, co-founder of scarf brand Rockins, who has been going to Glastonbury since the Seventies when it wasn't unusual to set up camp next to nudists, or see music fans applauded for jumping the fences to gain entry. Nowadays you’re most likely to find the 47-year-old at the side of the stage along with her ‘gang’ - Kate (Moss), Fran (Cutler), Katy (England) and Pam (Hogg).

With her crazy curls and her glamourous-yet-louche style, Morris is the epitome of the girl we all imagine we'll be before going to Glastonbury, but never quite manage to emulate on day three of trampling through mud and rain. Which is exactly why we grilled her on how to lose your inhibitions while still looking pulled-together in the fields this summer...

1. Start with authentic denim

"Authentic denim is the foundation of any timeless festival look," explains Jess. "I am very anti-stretch denim-wise. Whoever you are, whatever size you are, if you can pick up a pair of vintage jeans then you have a great starting point to any outfit. Patch them up, cut them to the length you want, and really make the jeans your own - that’s the best look."

2. Find a scarf that multi-tasks

A former PR manager, Morris is the co-founder of scarf brand Rockins alongside her partner musician Tim Rockins. The story goes that the rock n’ roll duo crafted a small run of bespoke bias-cut scarves as Christmas presents for friends in 2014. When the public seemed desperate to know what was draped around the necks of Kate Moss, her former husband Jamie Hince and Primal Scream’s Bobbie Gillespie, Morris realised there was a business opportunity there and started a collection.

So it's perhaps not surprising that Morris and co always pack some Rockins scarves for festivaling. "The pictures I like from the Seventies are of guys just wearing a pair of jeans and a scarf either round their heads, arms or around their knees, like Iggy Pop used to do, and girls wearing scarves as bras! I love that!" she says. "Back then, a scarf was used in every way - as a bra, as a belt, a wristband, a leg band, worn around your head, around a bag. They can add an extra flourish to any outfit."

Credit:
Instagram/rockins

The original Seventies festival fashion loved by Jess

3. Build your outfits around one key jacket

"The most exciting thing about a festival - I still discuss this with my friends and we are nearly 50 - is what are you wearing?" she says of the planning that goes into her look. "You all know you’re wearing jeans and you all know that you are going to get one amazing statement piece from a vintage store. Is it going to be a cape with amazing fringe on it? An amazing jacket covered in studs? Or a blazer with beautiful embroidery? Whatever it is, you need you get one jacket that will see you through the whole weekend. Your basics will stay the same but you need a statement piece (or a couple if you can afford it) that you are going to feel fabulous in."

4. Pack sensible walking shoes

"I really don’t want to see another pair of Wellington boots," Jess bemoans. "I feel like they have been going for 15 years now at festivals. There are much cooler things you can wear - a cowboy boot, a Doc Marten, even a cyber punk boot that will lift an outfit. We need to start thinking outside the Wellington box. And don’t forget comfy socks!"

Credit:
Instagram/rockins

One of Rockins' scarfers, or muses, Francois Hardy

5. Preparation is key

"You need to know that you’re not going to be bathing for two days, so prepare for that. Make sure you are looking great, your body is looking great and your hair is looking great. And don’t forget your bags! I once arrived at Glastonbury without any of my belongings in tow."

6. Look after your skin, but keep your hair grungy

"Avoid having a spray tan; there’s nothing worse," says Jess. "Just get a good factor sun cream, slather it on and get brown while you are there. And keep your hair dry, but scrunch it up with Kiehl’s hair cream."

Jess MorrisCredit:
Rex

7. Get into the look

"Let your hair go wild, enjoy it and go wild, yourself, for a weekend. That’s what it’s all about; lawless living. You can’t fake the music. If you’re into live music and you’re into self-expression then you have just got to go for it."

8. Go for it glitter-wise

"Yes, pile it on! Maybe not so much as you used to when you hit your mid thirties, but if you know you’re going wild for one weekend, and you’ve got your wet wipes, then just go for it!"

Jess and her husband TimCredit:
Rex

9. And finally, remember festivals aren't a place for judgement...

"I love a flower crown, I love a tiara. The beautiful old school elements of festival dressing - the fairy-tale aspect, the Pagan aspect - I miss that. Is it cringe to wear a flower crown? I don’t know. I'd say throw plastic flower crowns in the bin and wear fresh flowers in your hair," she says. "But I'd hope anyone who is going to a festival, hopefully, is going for the music, and the occasion, not to judge anyone else."